Of all the areas improved this offseason, Brodie Van Wagenen focused a ton on the infield. He made some big additions, as well as some high upside depth acquisitions. The Mets infield will definitely look very different next season, so let’s take a look at some of the big storylines to keep an eye on.
Veteran Additions
The Mets went out and made some quality additions this offseason. First they added Robinson Cano via trade, and they signed both Wilson Ramos and Jed Lowrie.
In Cano, the Mets are acquiring a legitimate middle of the order bat. Over his 14-year MLB career, Cano has a .297/.357/.477 slash line with 117 homers and 459 RBI in 3,416 at-bats in the three hole. Though he is aging, a return to New York will be good for Cano and he will be a solid piece in this Mets lineup. Not to mention, he is also a great veteran presence in a rather young clubhouse.
Ramos finally gives the Mets a legit dual threat backstop. He is solid behind the plate, and when healthy is a force at the plate. The Mets haven’t had an offensive minded catcher in a longtime. Over a combined 111 games last season, Ramos hit .306/.358/.487 with 22 doubles, 15 home runs, a 130 OPS+, and an .845 OPS. Like Cano, Ramos added a solid much needed middle of the order bat.
Though he is injured at the moment, Lowrie is another solid signing. He had another breakout year last season. In 154 games, Lowrie hit .267/.353/.448 with 37 doubles and a career high 23 home runs and 99 RBI. Lowrie figures to slot in perfectly with Brandon Nimmo atop the Mets order. He is a gap-to-gap hitter, and bring a great blend of power and contact.
Breakout Year for Former Top Prospect?
One of the depth moves the Mets made this offseason was acquiring J.D. Davis from the Houston Astros. The Astros liked Davis, but ultimately his path to playing time was blocked. In New York, he may get his chance to succeed.
Davis is still just 25-years old, and has a pretty solid minor league track record. Last season at Triple-A Fresno, he hit .342/.406/.583 with 25 doubles and 17 home runs in 85 games. If he can enjoy himself a nice spring, Davis might be able to play his way into the Opening Day lineup. He figures to see time at both corner infield and outfield spots.
Brodie Van Wagenen seems to be pretty high on Davis, we’ll see if he can take advantage of this opportunity right in front of him.
Rise of the Rookie?
Of course one of the biggest stories of Mets camp will be top prospect Pete Alonso. He has a ton of potential, and figures to be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
Alonso had a tremendous year at the plate last season. He showed off the raw power he has at the plate, as he mashed a minor league leading 36 home runs in 132 games, and worked extremely hard to improve defensively. He continued that success thus far into camp, smacking a long home run in his first AB.
Alonso is a great kid with a tremendous work ethic. He has been working nonstop to improve his defense, the biggest weaknesses in his game. If he can show improvements defensively, I do think he will make the Opening Day roster. And I think he is in for a huge rookie year in the Big Apple.
Last Word
The Mets infield is going to be one of their most improved units this season. Davis, Alonso, Cano, Lowrie, and Ramos are going to be tremendous additions. Not to mention shortstop Amed Rosario is absolutely in for a huge breakout year.
I think the Mets offense is going to surprise some people this year. Everyone focuses on their pitching, but the offense is going to be significantly better. We’ll see if it’s improved enough in what figures to be a stacked National League East.
Main Photo:
